Policy information sourced from the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan

24: Environmental Enhancement

Proposals for new or extensions to existing minerals and waste development must incorporate measures, on-site and/or off-site, to enhance Buckinghamshire’s environmental assets and green infrastructure networks, including (where appropriate):

  • Opportunities to delivery net gains in biodiversity and to contribute to wildlife corridors consistent with Biodiversity Action Plan targets and taking into account the priorities of the nearest Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and wider ecological networks.
  • The positive integration of the site with the wider landscape or townscape, taking into account the Landscape Character Assessments and areas, Historic Landscape Character Assessment and areas, Conservation Areas and appraisals, Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Colne Valley Regional Park and other relevant designations.
  • Consistency with the Buckinghamshire Green Infrastructure Strategy, in particular the objective of creating green spaces and links that have multi-functional benefits.
  • Retention of existing public or permissive footpaths, cycleways or bridleways on the site, or where this is not possible, their diversion or replacement to an equal or greater standard in terms of recreational, social and economic value to site users and local communities, including linking with wider transport and strategic rights of way networks. In addition, consideration should be given to the opportunity for providing new routes, taking into account the potential value to site users and to local communities. Proposals will be required to be consistent with the Buckinghamshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Where such measures cannot be incorporated into development involving mineral extaction during the operational phases, and no viable opportunities exist for off-site enhancement measures, restoration of the site should deliver such enhancement measures as appropriate.

For more information please see the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan